Property Words and Phrases

A guide to useful French words, terms and phrases relating to buying or renting a house or apartment in Luxembourg...
When reading the French-language property-related classified advertisements in newspapers and magazines, it can help to know some of the key jargon terms.
Commonly-seen words and phrases:
French | English explantion |
---|---|
2, 3, 4 pièces | 2, 3 or 4 rooms (plus kitchen and bathroom) |
maison 4 pièces | 4 roomed house (plus kitchen and bathroom) |
à rafraichir | to be redone |
ancien (anc.) | old building |
année de la construction | year built |
armoires murales | wall cupboards |
ascenseur (asc) | lift |
balcon (blc) | balcony |
assurance habitation | home insurance |
branchement lave-linge | washing machine outlet |
cabanon | stone building with a roof on it (local usage) |
calme | quiet |
caution | damage deposit (rental property) |
cave | cellar |
+ charges | rental price excludes building charges |
chambre (ch, chbr) | bedroom |
charges comprises (cc) | including building charges |
charges locatives | monthly fees for collective amenities |
chauffage collectif | (shared) heating included in building charges |
chauffage gaz | gas heating |
concierge/gardien | superintendent |
copropriété | shared property (apartments) |
coin cuisine | breakfast nook |
cuisine (cuis) | kitchen |
cuisine americaine | open-plan kitchen |
cuisine équipée | equipped kitchen |
cuisine agencée | built-in kitchen |
cuisine aménagée | fitted kitchen |
de plain pied | single storey/bungalow |
débarras | boxroom/junk room |
dépendances | outbuildings |
dépot de garantie | rental deposit |
digicode | security door code |
dossier de candidature | rental application form |
douche (dche) | shower |
en 3 niveaux | 3 storey/floors |
en bon état | in good condition/repair |
entrée (ent) | entry |
étage (et.) | floor |
état des lieux | condition of property upon moving in or leaving |
exclusivité | available with this agent only |
exposé sud | south facing |
frais d'agence inclus (FAI) | inclusive of agency fees |
frais de Notaires | legal fees |
garage (gge)/box | garage |
gardien (gard) | caretaker |
hauteur sous plafond (HSP) | ceiling clearance |
honoraires d'agence | agency fees |
immeuble (imm) | building or residence |
immobilier | real estate |
jardin (jard.) | garden |
jumelé | semi |
largeur (larg.) | width |
logement meublé | furnished rental or property |
logement vide | unfurnished rental or property |
loyer | rent |
maison d'amis | separate guest house |
maison mitoyenne/jumelée | semi-detached house |
maison unifamiliale | detached house |
meublé/équipé | furnished |
neuf | all-new construction |
nombre de pieces | total number of rooms including reception and bedrooms |
nombreux (nbx) | many |
parking | parking space |
pièce (p) | room |
pierre de taille (pdt) | stone building |
placards/penderies | built-in cupboards (no hanging space in a penderie) |
porte (pte ) | door |
préavis | notice of intent to vacate premises |
prix (px ) | rent |
quartier (quart) | district/neighbourhood |
rangements | built-in cupboards |
récent | built in the last decade |
résidence (rés) | building |
restanques | terraced land usually with drystone walls |
rez de chaussée (rdc) | ground floor |
salle de bain (sdb) | bathroom |
salle de bains (baignoire) | bathroom with bath |
salle de douche | shower |
salle d'eau (s.d'eau) | bathroom with shower |
salle à manger (sà m) | dining room |
salle de séjour (séj ss, s/s) | living room |
séjour (séj) | lounge/sitting room |
séparé (sép.) | separated |
sous-sol (s.sol) | basement |
sous terrain (s/terrain) | below ground level |
stand (std) | quality/luxury building |
sur terrain de... | property size |
surface habitable (SH) | total living space |
terrain | land/garden/plot |
terrasse | terrace, paved exterior area, large balcony |
très bon état (TBE) | in good repair |
tout confort (tt cft.) | well equipped |
WC séparés | separate toilet |